Total carbon, inorganic carbon, and total organic carbon
aqueous TOC
Material Analysis · Composition & Elemental
Total Organic Carbon Analysis (TOC)
Characterise total carbon, inorganic carbon, and total organic carbon, dissolved or non-purgeable organic carbon, and bulk organic-carbon loading using a scope agreed around your sample and decision.
- Price
- from£24 per sample, excl. VAT
- Turnaround
- 6 working days Preparation and scope dependent
- Available platforms
- Shimadzu TOC-LElementar enviro TOCAnalytik Jena MULTI N-C3100
- Typical outputs
- TOC and related carbon fractionsCalibration and blank summaryReplicate statistics and method conditionsProcessed chromatogram or spectrum
Why this service
What TOC can help you understand
Total Organic Carbon Analysis is selected when the project needs defensible information on total carbon, inorganic carbon, and total organic carbon, dissolved or non-purgeable organic carbon, or bulk…
Dissolved or non-purgeable organic carbon
solid TOC
Bulk organic-carbon loading
NPOC, DOC, or TC/IC difference method
Choose the scope
Start from the question, not the tool
The method, preparation route and reporting depth depend on what you need to decide.
Aqueous TOC
total carbon, inorganic carbon, and total organic carbon
- Best used when
- total carbon, inorganic carbon, and total organic carbon
- Typical result
- TOC and related carbon fractions
- Preparation note
- Exact mass and any drying or dispersion step are confirmed after technical review.
Solid TOC
dissolved or non-purgeable organic carbon
- Best used when
- dissolved or non-purgeable organic carbon
- Typical result
- Calibration and blank summary
- Preparation note
- Declare volatility, corrosivity, suspended solids and any storage or temperature requirement.
NPOC, DOC, or TC/IC difference method
bulk organic-carbon loading
- Best used when
- bulk organic-carbon loading
- Typical result
- Replicate statistics and method conditions
- Preparation note
- Gas compatibility, fittings, flow and safety controls are confirmed before acceptance.
Common outputs
A result package matched to the decision you need to make
Fields, conditions, processing and file formats are confirmed before work begins.
TOC and related carbon fractions reported with the agreed units, sample reference and measurement conditions.
Calibration and blank summary supplied in a labelled format suitable for direct sample or condition comparison.
Replicate statistics and method conditions provided with the processing basis and quality checks agreed during technical review.
Processed chromatogram or spectrum included when selected in the confirmed reporting scope.
Sample requirements
What to provide before work begins
Provide representative, clearly labelled samples and identify the decision, feature or comparison that matters.
| Suitable sample | Submission requirement | Planning note |
|---|---|---|
| Powder / particles | Provide a dry, homogeneous and clearly labelled sample in a sealed container. | Exact mass and any drying or dispersion step are confirmed after technical review. |
| Liquid / solution | Provide a sealed, compatible container labelled with composition, concentration and solvent. | Declare volatility, corrosivity, suspended solids and any storage or temperature requirement. |
| Gas / headspace | Provide the gas composition, concentration range, cylinder or sampling format and required pressure. | Gas compatibility, fittings, flow and safety controls are confirmed before acceptance. |
| Solid / component | Provide a clean, stable and clearly labelled specimen with the target face or region identified. | Confirm dimensions, cutting permission and whether the original geometry must be preserved. |
Objective: state the decision, comparison or acceptance criterion the work must support.
Handling and access: declare hazards, instability, confidentiality, file constraints or special logistics before dispatch or transfer.
Questions and answers
Common planning decisions
Short answers to issues that can change preparation, scope, timing or interpretation.
What should I send for Total Organic Carbon Analysis?
Provide powder / particles, liquid / solution, gas / headspace, solid / component as applicable. Exact quantity, dimensions and preparation are confirmed during technical review.
Which analysis option should I choose?
Choose the mode around the decision you need to make. For total carbon, inorganic carbon, and total organic carbon, start with aqueous TOC; add solid TOC when comparison or quantification is required.
How long will the test take?
Typical turnaround is 6 working days after sample acceptance and method confirmation.
What can limit the result?
TOC does not identify individual compounds. Volatile losses, carbonate handling, and contamination can dominate low-level results.
Configure the service
Send the information needed to scope TOC correctly
- Sample form, material, dimensions and quantity
- Feature or decision the result must address
- Required comparison, acceptance criterion or reference
- Preferred output and reporting depth